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Biomira Stimuvax(R) (L-BLP25) Prostate Cancer Study Results Published
Biomira Stimuvax(R) (L-BLP25) Prostate Cancer Study Results Published.
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[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n\nEDMONTON, July 20 /CNW/ - Biomira Inc. (Nasdaq Global Market:BIOM)\n(TSX:BRA), today announced publication of study results showing that\nStimuvax(R), formerly known as BLP25 Liposome Vaccine or L-BLP25, could slow\nrising Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels in some post-surgical prostate\ncancer patients, potentially delaying the need for initiation of androgen\ndeprivation therapy (ADT). The study results were described in an article\nentitled \"A Pilot Study of the Liposomal MUC1 vaccine BLP25 in Prostate\nSpecific Antigen Failures After Radical Prostatectomy\" that appears in the\nJuly 2006 issue of the Journal of Urology. PSA is a tumour marker used by\nphysicians to detect prostate cancer, monitor treatment effects and guide\nmedical management of men with this disease, rising levels being predictive of\nrelapse and disease progression.\nThe open-label phase 2 safety and efficacy trial, conducted at the Cross\nCancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta, enrolled 16 post-radical prostatectomy\npatients. Patients enrolled in the trial had undergone this surgery at least\nsix months prior to study entry, but experienced rising PSA levels\npost-surgery, final measurements having increased at least 50 per cent above\nthe lowest post-surgical level. The primary study endpoint was to determine if\nStimuvax(R) could stabilize or decrease serum PSA in these men; secondary\nendpoints included safety and immune response measurements. Study treatment\nconsisted of a primary and maintenance phase.\nThe primary treatment phase included a single dose of cyclophosphamide,\nused as an immunomodulator to enhance the potential activity of Stimuvax(R),\nfollowed three days later by the first of eight weekly vaccinations. The\nmaintenance phase followed, with the administration of vaccinations every six\nweeks for a maximum total of 15 doses over approximately one year.\nWhile no decreases in PSA occurred during the study period, PSA\nstabilization occurred in 50 percent of patients at the end of the primary\ntreatment phase, and was maintained in one patient at the end of the study.\nAnother interesting outcome was a noted increase in the PSA doubling time,\nwhich was prolonged by more than 50 per cent in six men at the end of the\ntrial, compared with the doubling time prior to vaccine treatment. These\nobservations, along with favor...